The Club is pleased to advise supporters that international clearance has at last been received for right sided midfielder Stephen Okoh, who will now be able to link up with the senior squad for the first time when Hythe Town return to the Pilot Field on Saturday.
The former Maidstone United man enjoyed a hugely impressive pre-season trial for the U's, setting up one goal and scoring the other in the 2-2 draw against a Gillingham XI in his first appearance in a claret and blue shirt.
It has not been possible for him to feature for United since the Ryman League season got underway though, as Okoh most recently spent six months playing for Shabab Al-Ghazieh in the Lebenese Premier Division, forcing the Club to approach the Football Association for the formal clearance that will now enable him to continue his career back in England.
One player to regrettably already be leaving the Pilot Field is full back Jerome Jibodu, who featured as a substitute in the U's opening two league fixtures, and made his full debut in the midweek League Cup win over Hythe.
Jibodu has decided to move away from the local area though, and to bring his brief association with United to an end as a consequence, and everyone at the Club would like to wish him all the very best for the future.
Great news on Okoh. For all our strengths this season I still feel we lack a little bit of creativity or someone that can produce that bit of magic. Okoh is certainly the man that can do that and I really hope he gets to start.
Agree, Jibidou leaving is a blow as although Hall has done well enough so far he has no prior experience at this level and if his form does drop off or if he picks up an injury we don't currently have any other proven alternatives ( Not counting Sam Cruttwell who really isn't a left back or Cole who could obviously do a solid job I'm sure but where we would lose a major threat at LW if he's pushed back )
Jibidou also covered the RB position as well so a big shame he's gone.
I don't understand why Okoh was left out the side everyone when he was just a trialist really liked him a proper winger that we lack without Sam Cole, Stephen was fit yesterday made travel 2 hours from Maidstone find out players that hadn't even trained with the team yet were in front of him, seems a lot of effort to persuade him to join n a pain with the international clearance then wasting him he won't stick around for long unless gets game time
Agree. Not sure what's happened here and why he is out of favour. Was easily our best player in pre season and from what I've seen when he has played so far he is arguably our most creative midfielder and the one player that is a little bit different to everyone else and can produce a bit of magic and flair. So much better than Max, Chris and Walder in my opinion.
Also add that it gives a real in-balance to our bench as well. We have Harris, Attwood, Medlock and Adams playing with Bright and Tyrell on the bench. Why does any team need 6 strikers in the match day squad?
